After 2 games last night, I had 500 even, and somehow managed to shoot 800. I left a greek church the last ball of the second game, which was actually a good thing because it told me I needed to move, but it made it interesting getting up in the 10th frame of the last game knowing that I needed every single pin. It was all or nothing, and fortunately I got all haha.
First I've got to say that the book Head Games by Ric Hamlin and Gary Yamasaki helped quite a bit. Between my mechanical problems caused by and in addition to my physical problems, and my unfailing drive to control absolutely everything, my last couple months have been pretty underwhelming. However, the book adjusted my perspective, and last night was really about my mental approach and the decisions I made, because I definitely didn't throw it much better than I have been. I don't like "selling out," in a manner of speaking and getting deep and wheeling on it because, "anybody can do that," and on a house shot that doesn't generally give you the most area on the lane, but that's been my problem the majority of the season. I've played as far right as I can comfortably get to start out with, but my arm has been tiring out faster and faster, and between track burn setting in and shots that come off slow, ugly frames start coming quick. Last night I thought, you know what, my arm is junk, but I can still get out of it clean if I don't have to worry about keeping my speed where I'd like it too, so I started deeper than normal, and made moves in response to how my arm was holding up, and somehow it all worked out. I accepted that what I had to work with just isn't what it used to be and went about my business, and I owe that to the book.
Also have to offer a plug to Jayhawk Bowling Supply and the Detox. I used the Sigma Tour I had them treat with the Detox when they invited me out for a demo, a ball that had been sitting in the shop waiting to get plugged and go on the used wall, that after a single 30 minute treatment is acting like it's brand new. It was super clean and strong on the backend, it didn't flinch or come off the spot lazy once. My arm is junk and my mechanics are getting worse, but all I had to do was make sure I put it in the right spot, and it worked out.
I'm still most definitely switching hands at the end of the year, but I really wanted that 800 crystal trophy, and I "finally" got it lol . .
